You are God's Continuous Choice
Understanding You Are Chosen Fuels Your Devotion
“When the Lord will have compassion on Jacob and again choose Israel, and settle them in their own land, then strangers will join them and attach themselves to the house of Jacob.” Isaiah 14:1 NASB1995
Have you ever felt like you weren’t good enough to be chosen? Were you ever the last one picked on the court to be part of a team? Have you ever wrestled with the feeling of being chosen—by the world or by God?
Sometimes, we grapple with these questions, especially in a world like ours in the U.S., where cliques, political parties, friend groups, churches, or schools create lines of division. I remember when I desperately wanted to be part of a male friend group to learn how to grow as a follower of Christ and a man. The leader of this group, but I was not getting the invite for some reason. Finally, the church pastor leader explained, “I don’t invite you to our hangs because you aren’t part of our church.” He went on to justify his reasoning, but inside, I broke. I felt numb, deeply hurt, and confused about why I wasn’t welcome in their gatherings. It all boiled down to the fact that I didn’t attend their church. (By the way, this “friend” — a broken human — is not the Church. I still love the Church, the body of believers, today. As is often the case, broken people are leading the Church. And yes, you don’t have to stay where there are broken leaders—but that’s a thought for another time.)
That experience and today’s reading left me pondering what it might have been like to be part of a people like Israel—stumbling through the world, striving and failing to follow God through ups and downs, persecution, struggles, and mercies. Yet in Isaiah 14, starting with verse 1, Israel—and all who attach themselves to her—gets a glimpse of God’s mercy. Here’s what God placed on my heart—as I fail every day—this morning about His compassion:
God’s Unending Faithfulness
This verse is a beautiful reminder of God’s unending faithfulness. He chooses not just Israel again, but all who attach themselves to Him through faith.
Today’s Reminder
God does not shame you or hate you, nor does He regret that you said yes to Him. He longs for you to return—through repentance, confession, obedience, or by bringing others into your struggle, whatever it takes. He longs for you to say yes and to keep fighting for a relationship with Him. He chose you before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4).
God’s Longing to Restore Humanity
God does not act begrudgingly. His actions are joyful and redemptive, aimed at restoring us to a relationship with Him.
Today’s Reminder
It’s humbling to think of how He extends that same compassion daily despite our shortcomings!
Never Finished Challenge: Memory Verse Challenge
Let’s take this journey together! This week’s challenge is to memorize Ephesians 1:4-5:
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will."
Spend a few minutes each day reflecting on this verse. Write it down, repeat it out loud, put it on a notecard for your car ride, record it on the phone and add instrumentals, or even share it with a friend. Let it sink deep into your heart as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and His love for you.
Here’s the deal. I have tried to memorize Scripture in many ways. You may not struggle, but I have found the best way to memorize it is by saying it out loud with hand gestures. (I’ve been teaching my girls how to memorize scripture—they crush it, and my eldest just turned 4.) So, here you go:
“FOR HE CHOSE US IN HIM
(Point to the sky with both hands, then to yourself with thumbs)
BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD
(Point far ahead, then make a big circle with your arms)
TO BE HOLY AND BLAMELESS IN HIS SIGHT.
(Hands together in prayer for "holy," then brush off shoulders for "blameless," and cover then uncover your eyes)
IN LOVE, HE PREDESTINED US
(Cross hands over heart for "love," then draw a timeline with your hands)
FOR ADOPTION TO SONSHIP THROUGH JESUS CHRIST,
(Pretend to cradle a baby, then point to both palms like Jesus’ hands)
IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS PLEASURE AND WILL.”
(Smile big for "pleasure")
EPHESIANS 1:4-5
(Hold hands open like a book)
For Your Pocket: Understanding You Are Chosen Fuels Your Devotion!
What does today say about God?
I know in my life, I have been through seasons with friends, teachers, and even family. The maxim that “there are friends and family for a season” feels obliterated today. I’ve moved on from relationships that, for whatever reason, have broken (which—hear me out—I think is often the wise thing to do).
But then I ponder the never-ending mercy and endurance of God to pursue me and choose me. It’s unthinkable and hard to articulate.
Thank you, Jesus!